Writing the quirky experiences living in México City: my works have appeared in The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Voice, L.A. Times, CNN.com, Chicago Free Press and Gay Chicago Magazine

Adios to living in México City

My tour in México City (DF) has been fantastic and enlightening – and I can sincerely say it was one hell of a FIESTA and sometimes one big CRUDA.

I moved to DF where I got more cultured in the Mexican way of life, where I learned that being Texican, Tex-Mex, is NOT Mexican at all – there is a difference.

In a lot of ways, living in DF was a culture shock too, the customs, the food (no Tex-Mex with chili con carne and cheddar cheese on my enchiladas), and no Spanglish: If I tried to mix a sentence with English and Spanish I was not understood and thought strange.

The word Latino and most especially Hispanic does not exist here. The whole time I was here I never heard these two words used to identify one, unless it was by a visiting friend from Texas.

I found it fascinating how I had been such a Latino activist in Dallas and then when I moved to México City I was now considered a GRINGO – no kidding.

I often got the nickname gringo and or güero, two common words I, as a Latino, would call white folks back home. I found my nicknames most interesting because I didn’t every consider myself white, but those words have nothing to do with being white.

Gringo or güero has nothing to do with color, but with the culture of those living North of the Rio Grande. I think my nicknames had a lot to do with my Texas twang in speaking Spanish – Como Estan Y’all.

From Dallas Texas to México City’s trendy bohemian Col. Roma and then to el Corazon de Col. Santa Maria la Ribera – it was all grand. I met some remarkable and inspiring people from all around the world, developing some incredible friendships that will last for a lifetime.

I adore México City and often pinched my Latino hairless nalgas to see if I was awake: making sure that it was not a dream – living in the city I so much admired after first arriving in the big enchilada during the Christmas holiday season of 1986.

What opened my eyes to moving was when my obsessive, prying, meddlesome, snooping, busybody, interfering, hmmm, did I forget a name? Yes, GREEDY, landlady raised my rent 400% when my contract expired — this for a torn up junky apartment that she couldn’t rent until I moved into the place and fixed it up. I gave the apartment lots of love, glitter and glamorous zesty parties and then landlady wanted it ALL.

Though we settled on just a 100% increase, my landlady’s action got me to thinking: why stay in México City? I am retired, I have a pension, I have good health and I am still young enough to move around with ease: So I can live and travel most anywhere in the world.

So with that thought in mind, I decided to leave México City, the land that was my grandparents, and venture back to be Dallas based to write my first book: DFW to DF and back. Once completed – I will venture out once again, next stop, I don’t know exactly yet but Buenos Aires seems to be calling my name.

I will miss my charismatic neighborhood, Col. Santa Maria la Ribera: I will miss the many fun and passionate parties that I had on my loggia – a place where I met the famous and infamous. I will miss my wonderful funky Mexican, Russian, Spanish, Japanese cafes and that long-established cantina — Salon Paris.

I’ll remember the park in front of my house: the parque Alameda Santa Maria la Ribera where a gorgeous 100+ year old Kiosco Moriscosat only yards away from my front door. A park that I could see and people watch from my big and lovely veranda: Didn’t need a television.

Col. Santa Maria la Ribera was fun in a quirky and eccentric sort of way, a must see when visiting DF.

But I do have to admit though is that what I will miss most about my life in México City is being pampered — with a cleaning lady, a cook, having someone to do my laundry and then folding and ironing. I will miss living the life of a rich white woman.

I do have to thank my landlady for opening my eyes to: I don’t have to plant roots in México City. Time to start another chapter in my unscripted lifestyle. Though my living in México City is over, my visiting is not – I still love this town.

People know that I sold everything to move to México City and I had to do it again on this move: no regrets — I’ve learned not to get too attached to things and places. Enjoy them and move on for there will always be more fantastic new things and new places to enjoy.

Adios mi México lindo y querido – I will be back, especially in June, July and August when it’s sweltering in Dallas.

It is not adios forever: but see you later México City.

Jzs

PS: Fine points about my journey in México City will come later in my book: So be watching for that.